Stabilizer assembly

ABSTRACT

A stabilizer assembly for removably securing a tomato slicing machine or other platform device to a surface, the stabilizer assembly including sections for engaging a wall that lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the surface upon which the platform device is situated, the assembly further including a straight run and an inclined run which meet in an engaging pocket that receives a portion of a reinforcing bar that is a part of the platform device, with the inclined run then terminating in arms to which is attached at least one cross-rod that has one or more fingers that embrace another portion of the reinforcing bar of the platform device.

limited States Patent Giangiulio r151 3,6565% [4 Apr.18,1972

[54] STABHMZER ASSEMBLY 21 Appl. No.: 12,372

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,844,341 7/1958 Kircher ..l46/182AX 2,093,755 9/1937 Garfunkel ..146/169 Primary Examiner-Willie G. Abercrombie Attorney-Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein & Cohen [57] ABSTRACT A stabilizer assembly for removably securing a tomato slicing machine or other platform device to a surface, the stabilizer assembly including sections for engaging a wall that lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the surface upon which the platform device is situated, the assembly further including a straight run and an inclined run which meet in an engaging pocket that receives a portion of a reinforcing bar that is a part of the platform device, with the inclined run then terminating in arms to which is attached at least one cross-rod that has one or more fingers that embrace another portion of the reinforcing bar of the platform device.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 18 I972 SHEET 10F 2 INVENTOR. CLAYTON E. GIANGIULIO .BY

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ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEUAPR 18 1972 3, 6 56, 524

- SHEET 2 0F 2 INVENT CLAYTON E. GIANGI 0 ATTORNEYS.

STABILIZER ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a stabilizer assembly and has as its principal objective the provision of a device that will removably secure a tomato slicing-machine or other platform device to a surface. The present invention in its broader aspects is intended removably to secure a platform device to a surface.

In the specific embodiment of the present invention, the stabilizer assembly to be described will removably secure a tomato slicing machine or other platform device to a horizontally disposed surface that extends from a vertical edge that is commonly provided by most supporting surfaces or tables. In this way, strong resistance is provided to-relative movement or sliding of the tomato slicing machine or platform device when it is in use, and particularly, when forces are applied to the tomato slicing machine which would otherwise cause it to slide in the direction of such applied forces.

While the present invention is clearly not limited to use in connection with a tomato slicing machine, nevertheless, such a machine furnishes a convenient example of the type of device to which the present invention may be applied, although it is to be emphasized that the present invention may be used in combination with devices to which a force is normally not applied as well as devices like a tomato slicing machine, to which a force is applied.

The present invention finds use in connection with a tomato slicing machine, such as is generally shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,369,582. In such a machine, a tomato holding pocket or pusher is provided, as well as a handle which is adapted to urge the pusher in a sliding motion. Unless the tomato slicing machine is restrained by some means, the force applied to the pusher will also cause the machine to slide in the same direction. Frequently, the operator must hold the machine with one hand to prevent such unwanted sliding motion. This is not only distracting, but also tends to force to operator to perform the tomato slicing function with but one hand.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stabilizer assembly that will securely hold a platform device to a surface;

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly that will hold a tomato slicing machine securely, but removably, to a horizontal surface, having a vertical edge.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly that will removably hold a tomato slicing machine in place against any tendency to cause such machine to slide as may be induced by the application of sliding forces to the machine, during the operation thereof;

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizer assembly that can be simply manufactured at low cost, and which will have a long life.

The foregoing objectives of the invention are achieved by providing a stabilizer assembly which includes sections for engaging a vertical wall, with such sections merging into a straight run, followed by an inclined run which meet in an engaging pocket for receiving a reinforcing bar that is a part of the tomato slicing machine, the inclined run terminating in arms to which are attached at least one cross-rod that has one or more fingers that embrace the reinforcing bar of the tomato slicing machine. It will be seen. that the stabilizer assembly is easily, but removably, secured to the reinforcing bar of the tomato slicing machine, and at the same time the stabilizer assembly is secured in place against a vertical edge that extends from the horizontal surface which supports the tomato slicing machine.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent, following a detailed discussion of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stabilizer assembly embodying the present invention, with such stabilizer assembly operatively secured to the reinforcing bars of a tomato slicing machine, and also secured in place with respect to a vertical edge that extends from the horizontal surface upon which the tomato slicing machine is supported;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the stabilizer assembly of the present invention.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown at 10 in FIG. 1 a stabilizer assembly embodying the present invention. Reference is also made to stabilizer assembly '10 as it appears in FIG. 5.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the stabilizer assembly 10 removably secures tomato slicing machine 12 to the horizontal surface or table 14 that extends from a .vertical edge 16 which is commonly present in a table or other supporting surface.

The details of the stabilizer assembly 10 can be seen from a study of FIG. 5 wherein the stabilizer assembly 10 is shown as basically comprising wall engaging sections 18 that are joined by a foot 20. The wall engaging sections 18 terminate in bends 22 from which extend straight runs 24. With further reference to FIG. 5 it will be seen that the straight runs then join inclined runs 26 at engaging pockets 28, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The inclined runs 26 then terminate in arms 30. Secured to the arms 30 are cross-rods 32'and 34 which possess fingers 36 that extend perpendicular to the cross-rods 32 and 34.

The attachment of the stabilizer assembly to both vertical edge 16 and to the tomato slicing machine is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

With reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the tomato slicing machine 12 possesses a platform 38 that is supported by legs 40 which engage horizontal surface 14. The legs 40 are further secured by a reinforcing bar that includes end sections 42 (FIG. I) and side sections 44. Mounted on the platform 38 is the actual tomato slicing apparatus which is defined in further detail in U. S. Pat. No. 3,369,582. For purposes of this invention it will be seen that the tomato slicing apparatus includes stationary cutting blades 46 and a movable pusher 48 that is adapted to force a tomato through and beyond the cutting blades 46. The pusher 48 is urged into the cutting blades 46 by the grasping of knob 50 which extends from the handle 52 that is attached to the pusher 48. In operation, a tomato is inserted in the pocket of the pusher 48, and the knob is then grasped and then urged in a direction toward the slicing blades 46. It will be seen that without the presence of the stabilizer assembly of the present invention that the urging of the knob 50 in the direction toward the slicing blades 46 gives rise to a sliding action that is transmitted to the legs 40 of the machine, and accordingly, the machine would otherwise be urged in the same direction as the pusher 48 is being urged during the slicing operation. However, this sliding action is resisted by the presence of the stabilizer assembly 10 that is supported against vertical edge 16, with the stabilizer assembly 10 also being locked upon end section 42 and side section 44 of the reinforcing bar as will now be described.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the wall engaging sections 18 of the stabilizer assembly are in immediate contact with the vertical edge 16 of the horizontal surface 14. It will also be seen that the fingers 36 are positioned upon the side sections 44 of the reinforcing bar.

The foregoing arrangement is readily apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4 which also show how the fingers 36 embrace the side sections 44 of the reinforcing bar.

In use, it will be seen that the stabilizer assembly 10 is preferably first secured to the end and side sections of the reinforcing bar by simply tilting the stabilizer assembly 10 so that the fingers 36 engage the side sections 44 of the reinforcing bar, with the straight run 24 of the stabilizer assembly 10 being positioned immediately under the end section 42 of the reinforcing bar so that the end section 42 is seated in engaging pocket 28. Following this, the wall engaging sections 18 are simply set against the vertical edge 16 as appears in FIG. 2.

In view of the foregoing it will be seen that any sliding force initiated by urging of the pusher 48 into the blades 46 is resisted by contact of the wall engaging sections 18 with the vertical edge 16.

After the tomato has been sliced the operator then returns the knob 50 to its initial position of FIG. 1. However, the return stroke can be made with considerably less force than the tomato slicing stroke since on the return stroke there is no need to overcome the resistance that is presented by the entrance and passage of the tomato through the slicing blades 46. Hence, on the return stroke the resistance presented by surface engaging caps 54 is adequate to prevent backward sliding motion of the tomato slicing machine. 7

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a stabilizer assembly that may be quickly seated into position in connection with a tomato slicing machine. However, it is abundantly clear that the stabilizer assembly of the present invention can be fitted on other types of machinery which would employ not only sliding motions, but also arcuate motions or other forms of movement. It is also clear that the stabilizer assembly of the present invention may even be fitted to stationary platform devices.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

1. A stabilizer assembly for removably securing a tomato slicing machine or other platform device to a surface, said machine or device including a reinforcing bar that is positioned parallel to said surface, said reinforcing bar running completely about said tomato slicing machine, the stabilizer assembly including at least one section for engaging a wall that lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the surface upon which the platform device is situated, the assembly further having arms from which include at least one cross rod having fingers that embrace said reinforcing bar, said stabilizer assembly further including a straight run extending from said sections, generally parallel to said surface, and an inclined run which meets said straight run in an engaging pocket that receives a portion of said reinforcing bar. 

1. A stabilizer assembly for removably securing a tomato slicing machine or other platform device to a surface, said machine or device including a reinforcing bar that is positioned parallel to said surface, said reinforcing bar running completely about said tomato slicing machine, the stabilizer assembly including at least one section for engaging a wall that lies in a plane generally perpendicular to the plane of the surface upon which the platform device is situated, the assembly further having arms from which include at least one cross rod having fingers that embrace said reinforcing bar, said stabilizer assembly further including a straight run extending from said sections, generally parallel to said surface, and an inclined run which meets said straight run in an engaging pocket that receives a portion of said reinforcing bar. 